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Letter from Anson Jones to George W. Terrell, October 29, 1844

Page 1

Department of State
Washington Oct 29th 1844
Sir
The President having been
pleased to appoint you Charge’ d’Affaires of this
Republic to the courts of England, France and Spain
you will receive, herewith your Commission as
such, and your letters of credence to these respective
Governments, to be presented severally to the Ministers
of Foreign Affairs of those nations, with copies of
the same, and also full powers to negotiate treaties
with those several Governments.
It is the wish of the President that
you would proceed on your Mission immediately,
and assume the duties of it without any delay.
It is supposed that Mr Smith will have left Europe
before you arrive there, if so, you will probably find
the Archives of the English and French Legations
in the charge of our Consuls General, Mr Rate in
London and Mr Brunet at Paris. Among these archives
you will find sufficient instructions for
your immediate governance, by which you will
in the first instance be governed. Others will be
sent you from time to time from this Department.
On your arrival in England you will
direct your attention to ascertain, as far as practicable,
what is the substance of the correspondence which has
taken place between England and France, within the
last few months on the subject of a settlement of our
difficulties with Mexico, and the affairs of Texas generally.
You will also ascertain what those two governments
propose to do in the matter, and refer the same to
this Government for its consideration and action.
Texas has already made so many overtures

Department of State
Washington Oct 29th 1844
Sir
The President having been
pleased to appoint you Charge’ d’Affaires of this
Republic to the courts of England, France and Spain
you will receive, herewith your Commission as
such, and your letters of credence to these respective
Governments, to be presented severally to the Ministers
of Foreign Affairs of those nations, with copies of
the same, and also full powers to negotiate treaties
with those several Governments.
It is the wish of the President that
you would proceed on your Mission immediately,
and assume the duties of it without any delay.
It is supposed that Mr Smith will have left Europe
before you arrive there, if so, you will probably find
the Archives of the English and French Legations
in the charge of our Consuls General, Mr Rate in
London and Mr Brunet at Paris. Among these archives
you will find sufficient instructions for
your immediate governance, by which you will
in the first instance be governed. Others will be
sent you from time to time from this Department.
On your arrival in England you will
direct your attention to ascertain, as far as practicable,
what is the substance of the correspondence which has
taken place between England and France, within the
last few months on the subject of a settlement of our
difficulties with Mexico, and the affairs of Texas generally.
You will also ascertain what those two governments
propose to do in the matter, and refer the same to
this Government for its consideration and action.
Texas has already made so many overtures
[end of page 1]
to foreign friendly powers that it is deemed most
advisable under existing circumstances to wait
until those powers who feel sufficient interest in
the future state and condition of our country
to make any propositions shall have submitted
those propositions and in a definite and tangible
form.
Now appears to be most favorable
time to enter into negotiations with
France and England for the admission of our
products into their ports upon more favorable
terms than present treaties permit, inconsequence
of the absence of the obstacles which
a commercial treaty with the United States
might interpose. You will, therefore, ascertain
what the dispositions of those Governments
may be in reference to this subject, and refer
such propositions as they shall make in this
regard, to this Government for its consideration
and action also. It is very desirable, however,
that all negotiations on the subjects above refered [sic]
to, should be conducted in Texas, and
that the Ministers of those Governments, resident
here, should be fully empowered to enter
at once upon those negotiations.
The absence of dispatches from Mr
Smith for some time past, renders it inexpedient
to extend further or more definite instructions
to you at the present moment.
So soon, however, as I receive his expected communications,
or he shall return home and
give me the benefit of a personal interview,
I will forward you more ample
ones.
I have the honor to be,
[end of page 2]
With great respect
Your [?] servant
Anson Jones
Hon. G. M. Terrell
Charge’ d’Affaires of Texas
[end of page 3]
[page 4 blank]

Department of State
Washington Oct 29th 1844
Sir
The President having been
pleased to appoint you Charge’ d’Affaires of this
Republic to the courts of England, France and Spain
you will receive, herewith your Commission as
such, and your letters of credence to these respective
Governments, to be presented severally to the Ministers
of Foreign Affairs of those nations, with copies of
the same, and also full powers to negotiate treaties
with those several Governments.
It is the wish of the President that
you would proceed on your Mission immediately,
and assume the duties of it without any delay.
It is supposed that Mr Smith will have left Europe
before you arrive there, if so, you will probably find
the Archives of the English and French Legations
in the charge of our Consuls General, Mr Rate in
London and Mr Brunet at Paris. Among these archives
you will find sufficient instructions for
your immediate governance, by which you will
in the first instance be governed. Others will be
sent you from time to time from this Department.
On your arrival in England you will
direct your attention to ascertain, as far as practicable,
what is the substance of the correspondence which has
taken place between England and France, within the
last few months on the subject of a settlement of our
difficulties with Mexico, and the affairs of Texas generally.
You will also ascertain what those two governments
propose to do in the matter, and refer the same to
this Government for its consideration and action.
Texas has already made so many overtures